Canterbury preview: Trainer Bjorn Baker saddles Shalaa Gold
Trainer Bjorn Baker has had by far and away his greatest season and is keen to keep adding to it at Canterbury today as he eyes more milestones in 2025/26.
Baker has so far this season prepared 155 winners, topping his previous best of 128, with his runners earning in excess of $25 million.
'It's been an amazing season. I have a great team, great clients and I have a lot of nice horses around me,' Baker said.
'As good as this season has been, I'm looking forward to next season as well.'
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Baker is looking to get off to a quick start at Canterbury with Shalaa Gold and Olufsen kicking off their preparations in the Benchmark 64 TAB Handicap (1100m).
Shalaa Gold was runner-up in his first four starts before a breakthrough win over 1100m at Warwick Farm in January.
He showed he is on track to kick off his campaign on a positive note with two very good trials including a win over King Of Roseau in his Randwick heat on July 11.
'He's a promising horse. He did a good job to finally win a maiden last start after placing a number of times,' Baker said.
'He has trialled well and he is definitely forward enough so I think he's in there with a good chance.
'I'm also happy to see that the weather is pretty good this week so we will get a decent track for him.'
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Olufsen doesn't have the race experience of Shalaa Gold but showed he possessed plenty of ability with a debut win at Wyong in March.
He has also trialled very well with a second to Mirra Impact in his Randwick trial on June 27 and a fourth to Amreekiyah in a Hawkesbury heat on July 7.
'He is a full brother to Ozzmosis,' he said.
'He was very good in winning at his first start.
'He is still a little bit green and putting it all together but he has been good in his couple of trials.
'There probably isn't much between these two and he has drawn a lovely gate as well.
'I guess Shalaa Gold will probably be a little more forward that Olufsen but it will come down to luck in running a little bit as well.'
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Baker has O'Invincible engaged at Canterbury and Wyong on Thursday and will weigh up the two options.
The daughter of I Am Invincible is in the Broadsiding @ Darley Handicap (1250m) for which she has drawn barrier 13 while she has gate 7 in the Benchmark 64 at Wyong.
'She has got a wide gate but there is already three scratchings inside of her,' Baker said.
'We will just have a think about whether she runs or we wait for the next day.'
O'Invincible was below her best first-up when a well beaten sixth to Livin' Thing at Randwick's Kensington track but better when just over a length behind Divine Vicky when sixth at Gosford.
'She was too bad to be true first-up and I think she may have had atrial fibrillation but she definitely had an excuse that day,' he said.
'She was okay last time out and she is definitely fit and well. I think stepping up to the 1250 metres suits her as well.'
Baker felt Mortlake could run a cheeky race in the All Too Hard @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1550m).
'I thought he was good first-up and had excuses last time out on a very wet track at Rosehill.
'His work on Saturday was good and off that alone, I think he's got a good chance.'
Originally published as Canterbury preview: Trainer Bjorn Baker aims to close out his record season on a high note
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